Day: May 4, 2020

UFC is the first sport returning since all major sports were suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The action starts this Saturday, May the 9th with a stacked card that culminates with the headlining bout between Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson.

UFC 249 Odds & Betting Analysis

Charles Rosa +155

Bryce Mitchell -175

Bryce Mitchell has a 12-1 record, which might be why he’s favored. Charles Rosa submitted Manny Bermudez in his last fight. Both these guys are Brazilian Jiu-Jitus artists. Mitchell has won 3 in a row and is 4-of-5.

Niko Price +240

Vicente Luque -280

Luque heads into this off a unanimous decision loss to kickboxer Stephen Thompson. Before that, Luque had won 6 straight. Vicente has never lost 2 in a row. Although Price won his last fight, Geoff Neal knocked him out in the fight before. Niko is 2-2 in his last 4.

Uriah Hall +110

Ronaldo Souza -130

After suffering 3 straight losses, Uriah Hall is 3-1 in his last 4. In his last, he beat Antonio Carlos Junior via split-decision. Souza has lost 3-of-4. All 3 losses were via decision, though. Ronaldo knocked out Chris Weidman the last time he won.

Michelle Waterson +125

Carla Esparza -145

Esparaza is a wrestler while Waterson is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter. Carla has won 2 in a row, both via decision. Waterson heads into this after losing to Jonna Jederzejczyk. Michelle’s got a 2-inch height advantage.

Alexey Oleinik +260

Fabricio Werdum -320

Oleinik and Werdum know a ton about the Octagon. Oleinik is 58-13-1. Werdum has a 23-8-1 record. Both fight BJJ style. Werdum is taller but Alexey has a 2-inch reach advantage. Oleinik heads into this off a win while Fabricio lost his last bout.

Yorgan De Castro +155

Greg Hardy -175

Hardy has a 6 ½ inch reach advantage. He’s 5-inches taller than De Castro. Greg lost his last fight via unanimous decision. In his last couple of bouts, Hardy fought to a no-contest against Ben Sosoli and Alexander Volkov beat him via unanimous decision. De Castro is undefeated. He knocked out Justin Tafa in his first official UFC battle.

Donald Cerrone +110

Anthony Pettis -130

Cerrone has lost 3 in a row. Check out who beat Donald, though, before writing off his chances. Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, and Conor McGregor all handed Cerrone an “L”. Anthony Pettis has 3 losses and a win in his last 4 bouts. One of the losses was against Tony Ferguson. Pettis will attempt to strike his way to a victory while Cerrone will use his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills.

Jeremy Stephens +210

Calvin Kattar -250

20-4 Calvin Kattar lost his last bout against Zabit Magomedsharipov. But Zabit is one of the best featherweights in the world. Stephens has a 28-17 record and has lost 3-of-4 with the other fight ending up a no contest draw.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik +240

Francis N’Gannou -280

Both N’Gannou and Rozenstruik are 6’ 4”. A major difference exists in reach. Rozenstruik’s reach is 78” while N’Gannou’s reach is 83”. Francis could use that 5-inch advantage. Both prefer to strike. N’Gannou has won 3 in a row. He beat Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos back-to-back. Rozenstruick is undefeated. In his last couple of bouts, Jairzinho beat Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem back-to-back. On any other card, this might be a co-main event. It’s that exciting of a fight.

Dominick Cruz +200

Henry Cejudo -240

The reason N’Gannou – Rozentstruik isn’t a co-main event is because Dana White put the Cruz-Cejudo fight on the May 9 card. Champion Cejudo hasn’t lost since 2016 when Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson knocked him out at UFC 197. Dominick Cruz used to put beatings onto opponents. But the Cruz last fought in 2016.

Justin Gaethje +150

Tony Ferguson -170

Justin Gaethje replaces Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event at UFC 249. Gaethje has a terrific 21-2 record. He also has no fear. As soon as Dana told Justin he’s fighting Ferguson, Gaethje said he’s going to make life hell for the champion. Ferguson is 26-3 and has won 12 straight since 2013.

Who takes the main event in UFC’s first promotion since the coronavirus pandemic? Make sure to check out UFC 249!